Navior's Serpent's Skull

Game Master Navior

Makao might still hit, since the spider is flat-footed and an additional -4 to AC. That's a pretty big deal; "8" might just be all you need.

Mahjik's attacks don't abate - pummeling into the spider with rapid succession.

Attack 1 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 2 = 16 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Attack 2 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 2 = 7 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Makao might still hit, since the spider is flat-footed and an additional -4 to AC. That's a pretty big deal; "8" might just be all you need.

Actually, it's a -2 penalty to AC for being stunned (on top of being flat-footed). Alas, the 8 does miss.

Makoa moves in, but is unable to damage hurt the spider.

ROUND 2

Aerys moves up and punches at the spider with as much strength as she can muster in her weakened condition.

Aerys unarmed strike, Power Attack: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 1 = 8

However, despite the easy target in front of her, all she manages to do is get a bit of webbing on her fingers.

Lorenz lets loose an arrow, but is distracted and the arrow goes wide.

Next Up: Douena, Mahjik, Urza, Giant Spider, Makoa, Aerys, Lorenz.

I hate Bit of Lucking when I already know what he's rolling, but... :P

Douena touches Mahjik again, sending a new infusion of Desna's luck flooding through him. "Hit him again, Mahjik!" she urges, as she readies her quarterstaff just in case. Bit of Luck on Mahjik; draw weapon

The touch from Douena gives Mahjik an extra spurt and his attacks become even more lethal.

Attack 1, roll 2 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 2 = 3 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Attack 2, roll 2 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 - 2 = 11 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Edit: Hah! That's another extra hit from Desna!

I hate Bit of Lucking when I already know what he's rolling, but... :P

It comes with pbp sometimes. :)

Edit: Hah! That's another extra hit from Desna!

Alas, no, there isn't another hit. The stun only lasts one round until just before your turn, so the spider is no longer stunned. It has its full AC again (otherwise, the 11 would have hit). However, the 16 from the first roll of his first attack hits.

Mahjik strikes at the spider, but it has recovered its senses, managing to avoid one of his strikes. However, his other fist connects with a loud crack.

Up Next: Urza, Giant Spider, Makoa, Aerys, Lorenz, Douena, Mahjik.

Map Updated It was actually updated last post, but I forgot to mention it. There was no change to the map from my last post to this one.

Urza targets the spider with an acid splash.
Acid Splash
to hit 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 R Touch
damage 1d3 ⇒ 3
I don't know if I can target the spider so as not to take the -4 penalty for firing into melee.

Stupid short stun duration. Mahjik accounts for 17 damage on the spider; did any of the other attacks hit? Mahjik doesn't want to make saves vs poison!

EDIT: Correction: 19 damage

Stupid short stun duration. Mahjik accounts for 17 damage on the spider; did any of the other attacks hit? Mahjik doesn't want to make saves vs poison!

But if you have to, your Bit of Luck is still active! :)

Stupid short stun duration. Mahjik accounts for 17 damage on the spider; did any of the other attacks hit? Mahjik doesn't want to make saves vs poison!

EDIT: Correction: 19 damage

Actually, Mahjik has done 24 points of damage so far: a critical for 6 and 4, 7 on his other attack that round, and 7 on his one attack this round. Lorenz also did 6 points of damage in the first round before the spider was stunned. It's not quite dead yet, though.

I don't know if I can target the spider so as not to take the -4 penalty for firing into melee.

Unfortunately, he can't get a straight line to an unthreatened square, so he takes the -4 penalty.

A splash of acid shoots from Urza's hand, but hits the branches beside the spider, burning away a couple of leaves.

The spider's mandibles snap at Mahjik.

Giant spider bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Mahjik Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 -- fail
Mahjik Fortitude re-roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 -- pass
Bit of luck wins again! :)

The sharp mandibles sink into Mahjiks chest, leaving large gashes.

Next Up: Makoa, Aerys, Lorenz, Douena, Mahjik, Urza, Giant Spider.

Wow, this battle may be Bit of Luck's best day yet. Desna must really like Mahjik. Anyway, just in case Makoa doesn't manage to kill the spider...

Struggling to keep himself focused, Lorenz lets out a deep breath, clears his mind and attempts another shot.

Point Blank Shot: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Yay for Bit of Luck! 4th instance Douena!

"That's enough out of you, beastie..." Mahjik presses out, his teeth clenched in pain.

Urza aims and casts Acid Splash again even if it's already dead.
Acid Splash
to hit 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 R Touch
damage 1d3 ⇒ 2
The ghost post

Urza aims and casts Acid Splash again even if it's already dead.

Acid Splash
to hit 1d20+3 R Touch
damage 1d3

Ghost post! You can view it under Urza's Recent Posts:

Urza aims and casts Acid Splash again even if it's already dead.
Acid Splash
to hit 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 R Touch
damage 1d3 ⇒ 2

You're right. That is weird. Where did it go?

The postmonster ate it!

If spider dead

Mahjik relaxes a little; the gash in his side was swelling ever so slightly, but it wasn't going to be particularly bothersome. He takes some time to get out of the sticky strands that webbed him.

If it is not dead

Mahjik instinctively kicks at the maw that bites him, trying to smash the mandibles before they can close on him again.

Attack 1 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 - 2 = 21 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Attack 2 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 2 = 5 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Attack 1, confirmation 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 - 2 = 15 damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Makoa tries again to find purchase with his teeth...

Bite:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage:]1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

..and succeeds, teeth digging deep into the arachnid's carapace.

Makoa tears out a chunk of the spider. It twitches and wobbles, barely able to stay up.

ROUND 3

Aerys attacks once more.

Aerys unarmed strike: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 -- miss

Despite its weakened state, the spider easily avoids her blow. However, as it does so, it moves straight into the path of Lorenz's arrow. With one final shudder, the spider collapses.

COMBAT OVER

Seeing the spider's twitching corpse fall, Lorenz moved forward, stowing his bow and reached for a dagger. He cuts the web away from Mahjik.

"Are you well?" He asks.

"Heh. As well as can be expected," Mahjik grins - partly from relief, partly to blanket the pain. "I don't think I'm poisoned, at least. I don't feel any loss of strength or stamina; just well, the loss of part of my hip."

Makoa uses his waterskin to get the taste of spider out of his mouth, spitting it out almost violently on the ground.

"Why can't things on this island taste better? I prefer to keep my fangs sharp on delicious morsels after all.." He contemplates how to get his axe back from the web for a moment. "Is everyone okay?"

Douena watches Makoa rinse his mouth with amusement. "I guess you found out what eats it: You do." She examines the bloody mess on Mahjik's side, as she pulls out her butterfly. "Make it better, Desna," she asks. converting hide from undead into cure light wounds 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Desna really does like Mahjik....

"I did not eat it, I bit it. There is a difference, trust me." Makoa replies. "Now how about you help me figure out how to get my axe back?"

Douena looks up at the ax, hanging in mid-air among the glistening strands. "I kind of thought the whole web would dissolve when we killed it," she says. "Maybe if someone lifts me up on their shoulders?"

Lorenz shakes his head. "That's why we use our weapons, rather than our teeth."

He looks at Douena speculating about the axe. "If we lift you up, won't you just get caught in the web? Maybe we should try to break it free with a long stick."

He grins. "Also why we hold onto our weapons instead of throwing them."

Douena shakes her head sadly, regarding the web. "We shouldn't have killed it, you know. This thing probably eats cannibals." She looks around for a long stick.

He grins. "Also why we hold onto our weapons instead of throwing them."

"I see a few arrows round here," Aerys says with a smile. "I wonder who didn't hold onto those."

She looks at the body of the big spider and sighs. "Ugh. I hate this island. We can probably get your axe back, Makoa, if we cut the web with Lorenz's sword. We can cut it free so that it falls to the ground. Then you just have to clean the web strands off it. If Lorenz doesn't mind getting some webbing on his sword, that is."

"Arrows are meant to be shot. Now if I'd thrown the bow at the spider..."

He looks warily at the web and eyes his rapier. "Well, okay. I imagine I can clean the web off the rapier without much trouble. Let's just do that so we can get out of here."

Lifting his sword, Lorenz tries to slash at the webs holding Makoa's axe.

Not sure if that'll work or not, but here's hoping!

"Thanks Douena, Desna is quite the aide." Mahjik surveys the web and the axe. "If someone strong forms the base, I can balance on their shoulders, maybe?"

"Don't let the axe fall on your head, Lorenz!" Douena warns, getting well out of the way. "You know that's the kind of thing that happens to you."

Not being a slashing weapon, the rapier is not the most ideal instrument for cutting the webs. However, with a bit of work, Lorenz is able to free the axe, which drops at his feet. His arms and shoulders throb a bit from the exertion and reach. Numerous strands of webbing now glisten from the rapier's blade.

Lorenz steps back as the axe finally falls from the web. "Good point, Douena. I was trying to be careful."

He looks at his cobstrewn blade. "Oh, this isn't going to be easy to clean, is it? Maybe Gelik can prestidigilize it."

"And that is why you don't use a stabbing weapon to cut." Makoa says as he reclaims his axe. "This is a throwing axe, so of course it is meant to be thrown."

"Sorry, that was my fault for suggesting it," Aerys says. "I don't normally use a rapier, so I forgot they're not for cutting. Come on, let's get moving. I really want get back to the camp and sleep."

You head out again through the jungle, gradually ascending the hill that Aycenia's grove stands on top of. By the time you reach the top, the sun is just starting to set in the west.

Ishirou waves to you, then calls out to the others.

"We were worried," Jask says as you gratefully settle into the camp. "But Aycenia assured us you were safe."

"Bah!" Pezock snorts. "Speak for yourself. I was only worried about the delay in attacking the cannibals."

Jask sighs. "Fine, the rest of us were worried then."

Mahjik, still slightly wounded, walks into the makeshift camp. Noting the glances he adds, grinning, "You should see the other guy." He points to Aerys: "Aycenia, could you please have a look at Aerys - she's picked up the red itch that has been making the rounds."

Aycenia smiles and nods. "I would be happy to." She approaches Aerys. "Remember, I cannot cure the disease, but I can relieve some of its effects." She places her hands on Aerys's face, and they glow for a moment.

Lesser restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 2 points back to Str.
A bit better than her previous results. Twice as good, actually. :)

"And that is why you don't use a stabbing weapon to cut." Makoa says as he reclaims his axe.

"It worked, didn't it? And my rapier was a better choice than the flail." He points to the large spiked ball at the end of its chain, hanging from his belt at the waist.

"You're welcome. Really, it wasn't any trouble at all." Lorenz forces a smile at the obvious lack of gratitude and stalks off.

At Camp

"Traps, lots of bones, a crusty old journal and a spider was about all we got on this trip. Oh, and a lot of sweating. Sorry to worry you all. It took longer than we expected. How's everyone doing?"

He walks over to Gelik. "My friend, could you do that prestidiger thing you do?" Drawing his rapier, he points at the cobwebs and wiggles his fingers at the blade. "I sacrificed the clean steel in order to retrieve someone's weapon after he tossed it into a spider web."

"Certainly, my boy!" Gelik says. With a quick word and a wave of his hand, the cobwebs fall away from Lorenz's sword. "It's important to keep your belongings clean when you can. But tell me, why in the world would someone throw their weapon into a spiderweb?"

But tell me, why in the world would someone throw their weapon into a spiderweb?"

Lorenz laughs heartily. "Exactly, my friend. And you have my thanks."

"Aycenia! Aycenia! Did you get my message? I told the land to tell you we were all right."

Aycenia nods. "I did." After a pause, she adds, "In a sense. The land does not communicate in the way you do. However, I did learn through it that you were all right."

"You see? I told you they wouldn't worry," Douena calls over her shoulder. "We didn't find anything evil there," she tells Aycenia. "We buried the bones. Mahjik, show the journal to Jask. Maybe he'll be able to figure something out about it."

"Wise men's thoughts stand the test of time. But, as it turns out, a tropical island isn't suitable to maintain a captain's log. I'm sorry Jask, we tried to keep it as together and whole as we could - but this is all we managed."

I don't know if it works and is worth it, but maybe Douena should prepare mending in general?

Douena hangs over Jask's shoulder as he opens the book. "Look!" she says, her finger stabbing. "It says something about a 'gray, silent island.' That's not the fungus island, is it? I didn't think the pygmies had been there as long as all that."

I don't know if it works and is worth it, but maybe Douena should prepare mending in general?

A mending spell could repair the pages, but not the writing on them.

Jask looks over the log entries. "I'm not sure," he says. "That could easily be the fungus island as we don't really know how long ago the pgymies or the cannibals arrived. I don't think Aycenia's grasp of time is very accurate. She's clearly been here many centuries, most of the time alone. After awhile, the years probably start to blend together in her memories. That said, perhaps there is another gray, silent island. We could always ask Aycenia if she knows anything of it."

"Is there anything else you can figure out from what's left of the logbook?" Douena asks anxiously. "What about this Nylithati person? What kind of a name is that? I guess we could ask Gelik about it...." Her expression makes it clear that she was hoping not to be put in the position of going to Gelik as a supplicant.

"It's a Chelish name," Jask says. "And the Thrune's Fang was clearly a Chelish ship. The captain mentions Sargava's assimilation, so the ship was probably part of an attempt to reclaim Sargava. That would place the events a little over half a century ago. Nylathati apparently had skills at healing, so she was likely the ship's cleric, and since the ship was from Cheliax, that would make it a high probability that she was a priest of Asmodeus."

He pauses and flips to the last entry. "This reference here to immortality is disturbing. I fear Nylithati may have found a way to live forever by joining the ranks of the undead."

"She has to be the woman in my dream," Douena says thoughtfully, "the one who started out healing people and then ended up eating them. But what do the undead have to do with snakes?"

"Maybe it's an unusual snake poison? It doesn't kill you, but..."

Douena shrugs. "The log doesn't say anything about snakes -- just bugs and sickness. I've never heard of a bugbite that could turn you undead either." She sighs. "Snakes, bugs, undead, cannibals, some strange gray island ... does something tie them all together, or is this place just a grab-bag of random evil?"